Experiments Method Design Applied to Optimization of Patch Repairs for Cracked Plates

Abstract

The optimization of the patch shape of bonded composite repair in aircraft structures is an efficient way to improve the repair performance. In this study the three-dimensional nonlinear finite element method is used to determine the J integral variation along the front of repaired crack with bonded composite patch in aircraft structures. The experimental design method was applied to optimize the patch shape and size in order to determine the most influencing dimension on the repair efficiency.